Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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In addition treatment by spraying was carried out in 27 houses by
staff from the disinfecting station following complaints from the householders
concerned. In a number of cases a supply of insecticide containing
5% DDT was also left with the householders for use in their own
sprayers.
Health education
During the year the food inspectors during the course of their
routine inspections of foodshops took the opportunities offered to put
over items of health education to the occupiers, and on occasion to the
food handlers. A large number of posters were obtained from central
agencies in connection with health education generally and more
particularly perhaps with environmental hygiene and home safety.
The quarterly Bulletin on home safety continued to be distributed
to some 500 organisations in the borough. In the course of the year
six lectures or talks were delivered by the Health Department staff,
two of these to students of a technical institute, one to older schoolgirls,
one to a Boy Scout group, one to a group of estate agents, and one to
members of a large grocery concern.
Public Mortuary and Coroner's Court
The premises are situated in Ladywell Road and comprise a court
room, witness room, coroner's office, caretaker's apartments and mortuary.
Statistics are as under :—-
Table 13
Month | Bodies received from Institutions | Others | Post-mortem examinations | Inquests held | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lewisham residents | Others | ||||
January | 44 | 57 | 27 | 11 | |
February | 43 | 29 | 25 | 11 | |
March | 39 | 30 | 39 | 30 | 12 |
April | 43 | 32 | 37 | 38 | 12 |
May | 41 | 29 | 36 | 34 | 6 |
June | 38 | 22 | 34 | 26 | 11 |
July | 29 | 36 | 39 | 26 | 8 |
August | 29 | 21 | 27 | 23 | 11 |
September | 26 | 32 | 35 | 23 | 11 |
October | 46 | 24 | 46 | 24 | 16 |
November | 32 | 33 | 40 | 25 | 11 |
December | 35 | 49 | 51 | 33 | 7 |
TOTALS | 441 | 381 | 488 | 334 | 127 |
Rodent control
A section, consisting from May to September of a foreman and
three operatives and from October to April of the foreman and five
operatives, is maintained for the purpose of repressing rat infestation,
and this section is supervised by the senior public health inspector.